Lone Star Racing arrives at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with more than just ambition—it brings a statement of intent for the second GTWC America round of 2026. For the first time, the Texas outfit fields two Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries from its own garage at COTA, signalling a new phase in its competitive evolution.
As anticipation builds, the team embraces the unique energy of racing close to home. With both sprint and endurance commitments across the weekend, Lone Star Racing positions itself at the centre of the action.
Lone Star Racing turning familiar ground at COTA into opportunity for 2026 GTWC America campaign
Racing at COTA offers more than convenience—it creates opportunity. The circuit sits just a short journey from the team’s base in Cresson, ensuring strong local backing and a sense of belonging that few competitors can match.
Team Manager and Technical Director AJ Petersen highlighted the emotional and competitive weight of the moment. He explained, “Circuit of Americas sometimes feels like a second and home and definitely our home track as a Texas team, so running two Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries at COTA for the first time is a bit of a milestone for us.
“It is great to have Dan back in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, and he knows this car and this track well. And with Marc and Jason stepping up to GT World Challenge America, we’ve got the right combination of experience and competitive drive. Our goal is a clean, fast and competitive weekend with good results for of our Texas friends, family and supporters.”
Therefore, the weekend carries both pride and pressure in equal measure.
Knox rekindles his GT3 campaign
Notably, Dan Knox returns to the GT3 cockpit with purpose. Having already built a strong résumé at COTA across multiple series, he brings both familiarity and confidence into the GT America sprint races.
Moreover, his recent performances underline his competitive edge. From endurance appearances to race-winning GT2 outings, Knox continues to demonstrate adaptability across formats. Consequently, his return to GT3 machinery feels less like a comeback and more like a continuation of unfinished business.
A bold step forward for Austin and Golan
Meanwhile, Marc Austin and Jason Golan embrace a significant leap into GT World Challenge America. Transitioning from GT4 to GT3 demands sharper precision, greater endurance, and refined racecraft. Nevertheless, the duo enters the weekend with momentum. Their previous near-podium at COTA and Austin’s recent success at the venue provide a solid foundation.
“It’s a new challenge and the first time for both Jason and me in GT World Challenge, and we are pretty excited to step back into the GT3 ranks,” said Austin.
“Jason and I did a few races with the Mercedes-AMG GT4, but this is traditionally the car and category we really want to be in. We are excited about it and just really focusing on a good clean weekend and race. It is still a learning curve for both of us and we are just going to have a good time.
This will be our longest race at this level of national competition although it is really an international lineup of drivers and teams. It’s been mostly sprints, but we have done World Racing League endurance events, and Jason and I co-drove the Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the three-hour Pirelli GT4 race at COTA last year. So, not entirely unfamiliar but a step up, and we are ready for the challenge.
These race weekends are always a lot of fun because we’re really close to home and some of our biggest supporters, like JG Roofing, are all local too, so it’s great to have them and all of our other partners, supporters and friends come out and be a part of this with us. I can hear cars running on track from my house, so it definitely keeps my juices flowing! We’re ready to go!”
Sprint meets endurance at COTA: a true test for Lone Star Racing at the 2026 GTWC America
The race weekend unfolds with intensity from the outset. Practice sessions lead into qualifying and the first sprint race, where Knox sets the tone. Soon after, attention shifts to Sunday’s endurance challenge—a three-hour contest that demands discipline, strategy, and cohesion.
Unlike sprint racing, endurance competition rewards patience as much as speed. Therefore, Austin and Golan must balance aggression with consistency to achieve a strong result.
Ultimately, this event represents more than a logistical expansion. It reflects Lone Star Racing’s growing confidence and ambition within top-level GT racing. By committing two GT3 entries at its home circuit, the team demonstrates both capability and intent.
As the engines echo across Texas, Lone Star Racing stands ready—not just to compete, but to define its next chapter.
